What Is a Deviated Septum?
A deviated septum (septal deviation) occurs when the thin wall that separates your nostrils, called the septum, is off-center or crooked. When the septum is straight, air can move evenly through both sides. When it is deviated, one or both sides can become narrowed, making it harder to breathe comfortably.
Some people are born with a septal deviation, while others develop it after an injury, such as a broken nose or trauma during sports or an accident. Common symptoms of a deviated septum include ongoing nasal congestion, difficulty breathing through the nose, and a "blocked" feeling that doesn't respond to sprays or medications.
A deviated septum is a structural issue, which means it can only be corrected through a surgery called septoplasty. At Beach Cities ENTS, our surgeons have extensive experience performing septoplasty to improve airflow and help our patients breathe more easily. Your provider will help you determine if septoplasty is the appropriate treatment based on your symptoms and how much your septal deviation is affecting your breathing.
If you have a hard time breathing through your nose, especially at night or during exercise, you might be living with an undiagnosed septal deviation. Schedule a consultation at Beach Cities ENTS in Torrance or El Segundo, CA to learn how we can help.
How Is Septoplasty Performed?
During your appointment, your Beach Cities ENTS specialist will learn more about your symptoms and examine your nasal structure to determine if your septum is deviated and whether surgery is appropriate. If so, we'll schedule your septoplasty and review pre-surgery instructions you'll need to follow.
Septoplasty is typically performed with general anesthesia and takes 30 – 90 minutes for most patients. Once you're sedated, your surgeon will make incisions inside the nose to hide any post-surgery scars. Once they have access to the septum, they'll carefully lift the membrane (called the nasal mucosal lining) from both sides and remove or reshape the septal cartilage. After moving the septum to its proper shape, they will reattach the mucosal lining and close all incisions with dissolvable sutures.
What Are the Benefits of Surgery for a Deviated Septum?
Sprays or medications can help relieve nasal congestion temporarily, but they aren't designed to correct structural problems. Septoplasty offers long-lasting relief for symptoms caused by a deviated septum, allowing air to move freely through both sides of the nose. The benefits of septoplasty performed by our ENT specialists in Torrance and El Segundo, CA include:
- Making it easier to breathe through your nose throughout the day
- Reducing the need to breathe through your mouth, especially at night
- Improving airflow during exercise and physical activity
- Helping you sleep more comfortably without constant congestion
- Decreasing that "always stuffy" feeling in your nose
- Supporting clearer, more natural speech
Beach Cities ENTS Reviews
This was my first time to visit this office. It was clean and efficient. I arrived early and was taken in immediately. The nurse practitioner was very good. He diagnosed what was wrong quickly and called a doctor in to consult. I am set up for a procedure. This was after visiting three other doctors who weren't sure. Not happy to have to have a procedure but happy it is finally being taken care of.
Always welcoming, professional, courteous, and on time!
Excellent care. I was impressed with the knowledge of information I received during my appointment. I feel better informed. The staff.was very friendly and helpful.
So glad to have Dr. Eivaz as my ENT Specialist. He is quietly and humbly confident in his knowledge of his profession. Thank you Doctor!
Quick to be seen, everyone nice, helpful, and professional
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5
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Reliable Care for Breathing Concerns
A deviated septum is a treatable issue. If breathing through your nose has become a daily struggle, a simple evaluation by our providers at Beach Cities ENTS can help you understand what's causing it and what can be done to fix it. Schedule an appointment at our ENT offices in Torrance or El Segundo, CA to find out if you're a candidate for septoplasty.